HB3102 would amend the Illinois School Code to create a New Arrival Student Grant Program administered by the State Board of Education. The program would provide grants to school districts to help meet the needs of “new arrival students,” defined as newly arriving immigrant students regardless of immigration status. Districts would apply to the State Board in a manner and form the Board requires, and the Board would issue annual requests for applications and distribute funds annually, subject to a specific appropriation.
In awarding grants, the State Board could consider the number of new arrival students enrolled in preschool, elementary school, and secondary school, the needs of those students, and the district’s ability to serve them. The bill also excludes school districts organized under Article 34 of the School Code from eligibility for these funds. The measure would take effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
The bill would add a new Section 2-3.206 to the School Code and create a new state grant program targeted to school districts serving newly arriving immigrant students. It would not mandate services directly, but it would authorize the State Board of Education to allocate appropriated funds based on student need and district capacity, thereby affecting how state education aid may be distributed among districts. The bill would also establish a new statutory definition of “new arrival student” and carve out Article 34 districts from eligibility.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears supportive of providing additional resources to districts serving immigrant students. The bill’s framing emphasizes student support and access to education regardless of immigration status, suggesting a policy goal of assistance rather than restriction. No recorded opposition or amendment activity is available in the provided context.
Contention
The most likely point of contention is the bill’s explicit inclusion of students regardless of immigration status, which may raise political or policy objections from critics concerned about eligibility, immigration policy, or state spending priorities. Another possible issue is the exclusion of Article 34 school districts from eligibility, which could be questioned by affected districts or stakeholders. Because no committee transcript or vote record was provided, there is no documented disagreement in the available materials, but these are the main issues the bill text itself presents.
Relating to the authority of the Wood County Central Hospital District of Wood County, Texas, to provide brain and memory care services to residents of the hospital district through the creation and operation of brain and memory health care services districts.